Dispensing container



May 26, 1964 T. w. HARDY, JR

DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed Oct. 16, 1962 United States Patent 3,134,531 DESPENSENG CQNTAINER Thomm Waiter Hardy, In, Ladue, Ma, assigner to Hardy Sait Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed (let. 1d, 1952, Ser. No. 230MB 8 Claims. (Cl. 229-47) This invention relates to dispensing containers, and more particularly to a carton or box having novel dispensing means which facilitates the opening thereof and the pouring of the contents therefrom.

Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a dispensing container which may be opened to an operative dispensing condition without undue manipulation or effort on the part of the user; the provision of a dispensing container of the class described having a dispensing arrangement which is of such simple construction that the method of dispensing is readily evident to an inexperienced user; the provision of such a container having novel means for tilting the container to dispense the contents; the provision of a dispensing container of the class described in which the dispensing arrangement is provided without unduly reducing the strength of the container; and the provision of such a container which may be expeditiously and economically manufactured with ordinary carton or box making equipment. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank used in the formation of a dispensing container of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a completed container;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing the container after the dispensing means has been opened, portions of the container being removed to reduce the height of the view;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged section taken generally on the line 4-4 of PEG. 2, portions being removed to reduce the height of the view;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

/ FIG. 6 is a plan view of a handle incorporated in the container; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a reinforcing blank incorporated in the container.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Heretofore cartons or boxes having dispensing means incorporated therewith have been of a complicated construction requiring excessive operations in the manufacture of the cartons and/or in opening the cartons and dispensing the contents thereof. While some prior art designs have been of comparatively simplified construction and mode of operation, these designs have not been wholly satisfactory due to the necessity of substantially weakening the container walls by large perforations or cut scoring. By means of the present invention, a container having the novel dispensing arrangement is provided without seriously detracting from the strength of the container.

Referring now to the drawings, a box or carton of this invention is generally indicated at B and is shown in FIG. 2 in its completed form. 'A single unitary blank 1 which is formed into the outside walls of box B is illustrated in FIG. 1. Blank 1 is preferably corrugated paper board comprising two layers of paper sandwiching a corrugated layer. The blank is scored on lines 3 to produce fold lines. Blank 1 is also provided with a series "ice of elongate cuts 5. The fold lines and cuts define four side wall panels 7, 9, 11 and 13 and a glue flap 15 all hinged together along their longitudinal edges. A pair of upper closure flaps 17 and 19 and a pair of lower closure flaps 21 and 23 extend from the upper and lower edges of side panels 9 and 13. Similarly, a pair of upper closure flaps 25 and 27 and a pair of lower closure flaps 29 and 31 extend from the upper and lower edges of side panels 7 and 11, respectively.

A tearing member 33, such as a tape, for example, is adhered to the side panels and glue flap 15 near the upper ends thereof. Tape 33 and the side panel 9 are severed by a short vertical cut 35. An H-cut 37 is provided in side panel 7. The H-cut includes two horizontal slits 39 and 41 located respectively above and below the tape 33 and a vertical slit 42 extending across the tear tape 33 joining the horizontal slits 39 and 41. The purpose of these slits will be made apparent hereinafter. During the formation of the blank 1, the tear tape 33 is preferably supplied from a continuous roll and cut at the same time the blank is cut.

The upper closure flaps 17, 19 and 25 are scored on diagonal lines as indicated at 43a, 43b and 430, respectively. These scores are so-called reverse scores made on the back sides of the flaps 17, 19 and 25 as viewed in FIG. 1. Score lines 44a and 440 respectively extend from one end of the score lines 43a and 43c to one end of slit 39 of cut 37 and the upper end of cut 35.- The function of these score lines will be described herein after. Upper closure flaps 17 and 19 are provided with rectangular openings 45 and 47, respectively, for receiving the ends of a handle 49 hereinafter described. Upper flaps 25 and 27 are perforated on horizontal lines as indicated at 51. The lines of perforation 51 permit the handle to be easily inserted in the openings 45 and 47 in a manner hereinafter described.

The handle 49 may be formed of a suitable plastic, such as polyethylene, for example. Handle 49 comprises a central strap portion 52 having button-headed ends 53, 55 joined to opposite ends of the central strap by narrow necks 57 and 59, respectively. The width of the buttonheaded ends is substantially greater than the width of the openings 45 and 47, while the necks 57 and 59 have a width slightly less than the width of the openings. The thickness of both the button-headed ends and the necks is less than the width of the openings. These dimensions are of some importance as will become apparent;

The container B is formed by folding the blank 1 on the vertical score lines 3 to bring the glue flap 15 on the inside face of panel 7, at which time the flap 15 and panel 7 are adhered together. The lower closure flaps 29 and 31 are folded toward one another and then the lower closure flap 23 is folded over the flaps 29 and 31. The other lower closure flap 21 is then folded over flap 23 and adhered thereto with any suitable adhesive.

To increase the rigidity of the carton, a reinforcing member 61 constructed of corrugated paperboard may be inserted within the carton adjacent the bottom and sides 7 and 11 thereof. Member 61 is scored on transverse lines 63 and 65. These lines form fold lines for forming the member 61 into a U-shape with sides 67 and 69 and bottom 71. The side 67 is relievedat its upper end by a rectangular cutout 73, leaving a tab 74. The reinforcing member is inserted in the carton in such manner as to place the lower edge of the cutout 73 in substantial horizontal alignment with the lower horizontal portion 41 of cut 37. The vertical edge of the cutout 73 and tab 74 is slightly offset from the vertical portion 42 of cut 37 toward the pouring corner of the carton and extends up above the upper horizontal portion 39 of cut 37. The tab 74 thus covers the vertical portion 33 of cut 37 and parts of the horizontal portions 39 and 41 'of the cut, thereby preventing the tabs formed by cut '37 from being inadvertently pushed into the carton.

After filling the container B with a product, the upper flaps are then folded in a manner similar to the lower;flaps,.i.e., the upperfiapsZS and 27 are first folded inwardly, followed by upper flap .19, and finally'flap 17 which is adhered to flap 19. The openings 45 and 47 are vertically aligned when the upper fiaps l7 and 19 are adhered together. The diagonal scores 43a, 43b, and 430 are also aligned at the same corner of the container.

' Afterthe formation of the container B in this manner,

the .tearstrip 33 is located .on the inside of the box walls 7, 9, 11 and 13 and glue flap 15. The. tab -74 inhibits sifting of the contents through the portions of cut 37 adjacent thereto.

The handle 49 is attached by turning it on its edge and inserting button-headed end 53, for example, into one 'of the aligned openings 45,. 4-7. The end portion of the upper flap or'27 beyond the perforations easily bends downwardly (due to the perforations) to permit the button-headed end of the handle to pass completely through the openings in flaps 17 and 1%. The handle 49 is then turned 90 on its longitudinal axis. This movement causes the side extensions of the buttonheaded end to be located under the flaps 17 and 19, thereby preventing removal'of the handle. The handle is then twisted to permit entry of the other button-headed end in a similar manner.

Opening of the container B is accomplished in the following manner: I

The user pushes his thumb into the container at the vertical slit 42 of the H-cut 37. The two small flaps formed by the'horizontal and vertical slits are pushed inside by such action. The tab 74 of the reinforcing member is also bent inwardly when the flaps formed by the H-cut are pushed into the container. The user then grasps and pulls the tab to the right ofthe vertical slit to cause a strip formed by portions of end wall 7' and side wall 9 on both sides of tape 33, and the tape 33 itself to be torn from the container. The torn strip is terminated upon reachingthe vertical slit 35 since the tape 33 is severed at that point; 7

" Thereafter, the triangular portion of the upper closure flaps formed by score lines 43a, 43b and 430 is lifted upwardly, folding the closure flaps upon the prescribed diagonal lines of scoring. As the triangular portion of the upper closure flaps is folded upwardly the side and 7 tion, it is'intende'd that all matter contained in the above end wall portions are ruptured along'the score lines 44a I and44c. Thus, the triangular portion of the closure flaps and the connected side and end wall portions are lifted upwardly to the position illustrated in'FIG. 3 toprovide a. dispensing opening. It will be understood that suitable directions and indicia may be employed to provide 7 positive directions'of opening thecarton.

the full strength of the corrugated board structure is realized. Further, the minimal horizontal severing of the corrugations of the H-cut is spaced from the corners 'of the container, thereby realizing minimum distraction from the stacking characteristics of thecontainer. The

reinforcing member 61 also increases the strength of the container.

Inview of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous result attained.

As various changes could be made inthe aboveconstructions without departing from the scope of the invendescription or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

l. A dispensing container having side walls andend closures, a tearing member adhered to said walls on the inside thereof adjacent one end of the container and spaced from said end, a first.cut through one of two adjoining walls, said first out having a portion extending across said tearing member and through said tearing member and portions lying outwardly of the tearing member on opposite sides of the tearing member extending toward the corner defined by said two adjoining walls thereby defining a tab, and a second cut through the other of said two adjoining walls extending across the tearing member and through the tearing member and said other adjoining wall whereby said tab may be grasped and pulled to tear said tearing member, andportions'of said two. adjoining walls from the container between said cuts to provide a dispensing opening, said first cut having other portions lying outwardly of the tearing member on opposite sides of the tearing member extending away from said corner to define another tab, whereby said other tab may be pushed inwardly to facilitate grasping of said first-mentioned 'tab a reinforcing ;mem'berlocated adjacent said one adjoining wall on the inside thereof, a portion of said reinforcing member extending across said portions of said first cut to prevent inadvertent inward movement of said tabs, said closure at said one end being scored on a line extending from one of said adjoining walls to the other of said adjoining walls to define a triangular closure portion adapted to be folded upwardlytofacilitate dispensing of the contents through .said dispensing opening, and said two adjoining wallsbethe container and spaced from said end, a first line of weakness in'one of said adjoining walls, said first line of weaknesshaving a portion extending across said tearing member and through said tearing member and portions lying outwardly of the tearing member on opposite sides of the tearing member extending toward the corner defmed by said adjoining .walls thereby defining a tab, and a second line of weakness in the other of said adjoining walls extending acrossLthe tearing member and through the tearing member, whereby said tab may be grasped and pulled to tear said tearing member and portions of said adjoining walls from the container between said lines of weakness to provide a dispensing opening, a handle adapted to be grasped for tilting said container to facilitate dispensing of the contents through said dispensing opening, said handle having end heads and intermediate necks extending from said end heads, said necks having a width less than said end heads, said end closure at said one end'of said container having spaced apart elongate openings, the openings having a width greater than said necks but less than said end heads, said necks extendingthrough said openings, and said end heads being located below said openings and transverse to thelength thereof to prevent separation of said handle and the remainder of the containerwhen the handle is grasped to tilt the container.

3. A dispensing container asset forth in claim 2, wherein said container includes two additional side walls joined to said adjoining walls to form a rectangular configuration, said closure at said one end of said container comprising atfirst pair of flaps extending from two opposi e side walls, said flaps being overlapped and adhered together, said elongate openings being in said flaps, and a second pair of flaps extending toward: each other from the other two opposite side walls interiorly of said first pair of flaps, each of said second pair of flaps having a line of perforations extending transversely across it between the ends thereof to define a bendable tab portion on the inner end thereof, said tab portions being located under said openings and adapted to be bent downwardly by said end heads when the latter are below said first pair of flaps.

4. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said first pair of flaps and the one of said second pair of flaps adjacent said dispensing opening is scored on a line generally extending from one of said adjoining walls to the other of said adjoining walls, said lines of scoring in said flaps being in substantially vertical alignment to define a triangular closure portion adapted to be folded upwardly to facilitate dispensing of the con tents through said dispensing opening.

5. A dispensing container having side Walls and end closures, a tearing member adhered to said walls on the inside thereof adjacent one end of the container and spaced from said end, a first cut through one of two adjoining walls, said first out having a portion extending across said tearing member and through said tearing member and portions lying outwardly of the tearing member on opposite sides of the tearing member extending toward the corner defined by said two adjoining walls thereby defining a tab, and a second cut through the other of said two adjoining walls extending across the tearing member and through the tearing member and said other adjoining wall whereby said tab be grasped and pulled to tear said tearing member and portions of said two adjoining walls from the container between said cuts to provide a dispensing opening, said first cut having other portions lying outwardly of the tearing member on opposite sides of the tearing member extending away from said corner to define another tab, whereby said other tab may be pushed inwardly to facilitate grasping of said first-mentioned tab, said closure at said one end being scored on a line extending from one of said adjoining walls to the other of said adjoining walls to define a triangular closure portion adapted to be folded upwardly to facilitate dispensing of the contents through said dispensing opening, said two adjoining walls being scored on lines extending from the first and second cuts to said closure at said one end, whereby said two adjoii ing walls are torn along said lines of scoring therein upon folding said triangular closure portion upwardly, a handle adapted to be grasped for tilting said container to facilitate dispensing of the contents through said dispensing opening, said handle having end heads and intermediate necks extending from said end heads, said necks having a width less than said end heads, said end closure at said one end of said container having spaced apart elongate openings, the openings having a width greater than said necks but less than said end heads, said necks extending through said openings, said end heads being located below said openings and transverse to the length thereof to prevent separation of said handle and the remainder of the box when the handle is grasped to tilt the container, at least two additional side walls, said closure at said one end of said container comprising a first pair of flaps extending from two side walls, said flaps being overlapped and adhered together, said elongate openings being in said flaps, and a second pair of flaps extending toward each other from two other side walls interiorly of said first pair of flaps, each of said second pair of fiaps having a line of perforations extending transversely across it between the ends thereof to define a bendable tab portion on the inner end thereof, said tab portions being located under said openings and bent downwardly by said end heads.

6. A dispensing container as set forth in claim 5,

wherein said line of scoring in said closure at said one end includes separate lines of scoring on each of said fiX'SL pair of flaps and the one of said second pair of flaps adjacent said dispensing opening, said lines of scoring in said flaps being in substantial vertical alignment to define said triangular closure portion.

7. A dispensing container having side walls and end closures, a tearing member adhered to at least two adjoining side walls on the inside thereof adjacent one end of the container and spaced from said end, a first line of wealmess in one of said adjoining walls, said first line of weakness having a portion extending across said tearing member and through said tearing member and portions lying outwardly of the tearing member on opposite sides of the tearing member extending toward the corner defined by said adjoining walls thereby defining a tab, a second line of weakness in the other of said adjoining valls extending across the tearing member and through the tearing member, whereby said tab may be grasped and pulled to tear said tearing member and portions of said adjoining walls from the container between said lines of weakness to provide a dispensing opening, said closure at said one end having a third line of weakness extending from one of said adjoining walls to the other of said adjoining walls, whereby said closure at said one end may be folded upwardly on said line of weakness to facilitate dispensing of the contents through said dispensing opening, and fourth and fifth lines of weakness in said adjoining walls extending, respectively, from said first and second line of weakness to said closure at said one end, whereby said adjoining Walls are torn along said fourth and fifth lines of wealmess upon folding said closure at said one end upwardly.

8. A dispensing container having side walls and end closures, a tearing member adhered to said walls on the inside thereof adjacent one end of the container and spaced from said end, a first cut through one of two adjoining walls, said first out having a portion extending across said tearing member and through said tearing member and portions lying outwardly of the tearing memher on opposite sides of the tearing member extending toward the corner defined by said two adjoining walls thereby defining a tab, and a second cut through the other of said two adjoining walls extending across the tearing member and through the tearing member and said other adjoining wall whereby said tab may be grasped and pulled to tear said tearing member and portions of said two adjoining Walls horn the container between said cuts to provide a dispensing opening, said first cut having other portions lying outwardly of the tearing member on opposite sides of the tearing member extending away from said corner to define another tab, whereby said other tab may be pushed inwardly to facilitate grasping of said first-mentioned tab, said closure at said one end being scored on a line extending from one of said adjoining walls to the other of said adjoining Walls to define a triangular closure portion adapted to be folded upwardly to facilitate dispensing of the contents through said dispensing opening, and said two adjoining walls being scored on lines extending from the first and second cuts to said closure at said one end, whereby said two adjoining walls are torn along said lines of scoring therein upon folding said triangular closure portion upwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,348,377 Goodyear May 9, 1944 2,483,030 Arneson Sept. 27, 1949 2,549,582 Dunning Apr. 17, 1951 2,773,634 Negoro Dec. 11, 1956 2,822,118 Will Feb. 4, 1958 

1. A DISPENSING CONTAINER HAVING SIDE WALLS AND END CLOSURES, A TEARING MEMBER ADHERED TO SAID WALLS ON THE INSIDE THEREOF ADJACENT ONE END OF THE CONTAINER AND SPACED FROM SAID END, A FIRST CUT THROUGH ONE OF TWO ADJOINING WALLS, SAID FIRST CUT HAVING A PORTION EXTENDING ACROSS SAID TEARING MEMBER AND THROUGH SAID TEARING MEMBER AND PORTIONS LYING OUTWARDLY OF THE TEARING MEMBER ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE TEARING MEMBER EXTENDING TOWARD THE CORNER DEFINED BY SAID TWO ADJOINING WALLS THEREBY DEFINING A TAB, AND A SECOND CUT THROUGH THE OTHER OF SAID TWO ADJOINING WALLS EXTENDING ACROSS THE TEARING MEMBER AND THROUGH THE TEARING MEMBER AND SAID OTHER ADJOINING WALL WHEREBY SAID TAB MAY BE GRASPED AND PULLED TO TEAR SAID TEARING MEMBER AND PORTIONS OF SAID TWO ADJOINING WALLS FROM THE CONTAINER BETWEEN SAID CUTS TO PROVIDE A DISPENSING OPENING, SAID FIRST CUT HAVING OTHER PORTIONS LYING OUTWARDLY OF THE TEARING MEMBER ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE TEARING MEMBER EXTENDING AWAY FROM SAID CORNER TO DEFINE ANOTHER TAB, WHEREBY SAID OTHER TAB MAY BE PUSHED INWARDLY TO FACILITATE GRASPING OF SAID FIRST-MENTIONED TAB A REINFORCING MEMBER LOCATED ADJACENT SAID ONE ADJOINING WALL ON THE INSIDE THEREOF A PORTION OF SAID REINFORCING MEMBER EXTENDING ACROSS SAID PORTIONS OF SAID FIRST CUT TO PREVENT INADVERTENT INWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID TABS, SAID CLOSURE AT SAID ONE END BEING SCORED ON A LINE EXTENDING FROM ONE OF SAID ADJOINING WALLS TO THE OTHER OF SAID ADJOINING WALLS TO DEFINE A TRIANGULAR CLOSURE PORTION ADAPTED TO BE FOLDED UPWARDLY TO FACILITATE DISPENSING OF THE CONTENTS THROUGH SAID DISPENSING OPENING, AND SAID TWO ADJOINING WALLS BEING SCORED ON LINES EXTENDING FROM THE FIRST AND SECOND CUTS TO SAID CLOSURE AT SAID ONE END, WHEREBY SAID TWO ADJOINING WALLS ARE TORN ALONG SAID LINES OF SCORING THEREIN UPON FOLDING SAID TRIANGULAR CLOSURE PORTION UPWARDLY. 